Behind a rookie season which was so impressive that not only did Ben Simmons emerge as rookie of the year, he has now become a player many include in their list of the NBA’s top five players.
At just 22 years of age, and with the recent blessing of Andrew Bogut, Ben Simmons has become the face of Australian Basketball and its future.
Australia has produced a number of excellent NBA players, some winning NBA championships and others providing integral roles for successful teams. However, never have we had a player in the league’s MVP conversation.
Simmons’ averages of 15.8 points, 8.2 assists and 8.1 rebounds over the 17-18 season broke multiple records for a playing in his debut NBA season. He remained consistent all season, despite a couple of quiet games against the Celtics in the second round, proving his durability and that there was no such thing as a “rookie wall” for Ben.
Many have compared Simmons to Lebron James for their rarely found combination of size, athleticism, ball handing and passing vision. Like Simmons, Lebron faced many questions marks over his jump shot, especially early in his career. Now as he enters his 16th NBA season, James has converted himself into a capable, effective and threatening shooter to combine with the other extraordinary parts of his game. Simmons “ceiling” is expected to be the very same.
Simmons has worked on his jumper all off-season and it will be interesting to see how long this takes to convert to in game performances. Another storyline in Ben’s sophomore NBA season will be how his game will be affected by the inclusion of the Sixers “other” number one pick Markelle Fultz.
Although slated to start at the two for the 76ers right now, Fultz played as a point guard during his time at Washington University and it would make sense for the 76ers to use Fultz as the primary ball handler during certain stages of the game. This reality will reduce the ball handling responsibilities Ben held last season but also creates a different situation for the 76ers having Fultz, a quesitonable shooter, replacing a pure shooter in JJ Reddick at shooting guard… something which could impact the space which stars Simmons and Emiid have to operate in.
Many think Simmons, despite being in his rookie year, was unlucky not to be picked as an All Star in the East last season, especially following the omissions of a number of originally picked players through injury. With the East further being weakened with the likes of James moving to the West, one could say it would be disappointing if Simmons were not to earn an All Star berth this season.
Even with Fultz being inserted in the starting line-up it wouldn’t be crazy to think Simmons finishes top five in assists this season. Remarkably for both a rookie and a forward he finished fifth last season behind a list of NBA veterans who all seem to be slowing down and have issues recreating last season’s numbers.
Russell Westbrook will miss the start of the season with a knee injury which may put him on a minutes restriction once he returns, whilst James donning a Lakers jersey beside Lonzo Ball and Rajon Rondo will no doubt have some impact on his personal assist numbers.
We are all witnesses to the dawning of Ben Simmons brilliance with the 76ers rising as a true Eastern Conference contender and the Australian national team set on a top two finish at the upcoming FIBA World Cup and 2020 Olympic Games.
For both squads Simmons will be viewed as the horse which both will affix their carriages to for ultimate glory.
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
